Wilco, Andrew Bird to perform in Geneva

GENEVA – Chicago artists Wilco and Andrew Bird are heading to Geneva for a July 8 concert at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, the home of the Kane County Cougars. The concert will also feature The Congregation, an eight-piece soul band.

"We've always looked to host some concerts here," said Curtis Haug, the Cougars' general manager. "I think with Wilco being a local band and all, that it's going to be a real good draw. It's a good band to have here for our first major concert."

The evening will be capped off by a fireworks show as is often the norm after baseball games. Tickets cost $50 and will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Fifth Third Bank Ballpark ticket office and online at www.jamusa.com/wilco/wilco-geneva.html. Tickets can also be purchased at The Vic Theatre Box Office, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., in Chicago with no service charge. A presale on Wilco's website, wilcoworld.net, opens at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

"This is going to be the icebreaker," Haug said about the venue's first big concert. "Hopefully it opens doors to some other bands in the future."

Haug made sure to thank the Kane County Forest Preserve District and the county itself for helping make the concert become a reality. "They were all very supportive, and we appreciate that," he said.

Tickets will be sold as general admission only and will cost the same no matter where in the ballpark a person sits. Early discussions of seating charts have the stage in short-centerfield with a PortaFloor over the infield grounds and grass, Haug said.

He said the Cougars have been working on getting the concert set for the last few months.

"There were a lot of details and discussions that took place," Haug said. "We're just excited that it's actually going to happen."

Parking lots will open at 4 p.m.; the venue's doors will open at 5 p.m., and the concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. Parking will cost $5 with a limited number of closer spots available for $10 on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We had such a great time at our shows in December, but not everyone was able to get tickets,” said Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy in a news release. “So this time, we’ve made sure that there will be plenty of room for everyone, so anyone who wants to can come out and have a great time with us.”

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• Mike Van Der Harst is the features editor of the Kane County Chronicle. “The Second Row” will feature coverage of arts and entertainment events throughout the area. Contact him at 630-845-5233 or mvanderharst@shawmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikeVDH1.